"We came to the city tracking Narsiegus, who had caused a great deal of trouble above," Gig omits the details, but puts on a gruff expression. "We fear he is causing more mischief for this city and elsewhere. Could you help us track him down and keep him from stirring up more chaos?"
Uhe stands right behind Gig, looking imposing yet friendly.....
Bronwyl prompts you to make your case and investigates you interest in Narseigus. Her inquiries pivot to your interests and intentions toward one of Hagegraf’s leading citizens, as well as what you’ve learned so far.
“We are of similar minds," she says once she has satisfied her curiosity. "We both admire Narseigus’s ambition and recent accomplishments, and we’d both be happier conveying that praise over his dead body. He is a nuisance who has upset my own ambitions, and I want to see him fail—in any way that doesn’t ruin Hagegraf. If we’re to do that, we need to know what he has planned and what magic he’s mastered. That’s locked up inside a penthouse given to him by King Orgukagan. Narsiegus left town a few days ago, so the opportunity is ripe. One of his colleagues couldn’t be seen breaking in without ruining her career, and larcenous strangers would no doubt fall victim to the magical traps Narseigus uses. But together? Perhaps we can both win."
Bronwyl unpins three ruby-studded silver pendants from her coat. "Each of these carries an antimagical contingency that should dull or even dispel incoming magic. The enchantment only lasts a few days while I’m within a few miles. I can also provide you his address, which isn’t common knowledge, and I can draw away a few guards. Anything beyond that is your responsibility. If you’re glib, you might talk your way past the guards. There’s also a large rooftop patio and several buildings nearby that aren’t watched so well, if you don’t mind heights. Expect some amount of resistance.
"Narseigus should have a sizable book collection—worth a search. Any ritual paraphernalia you recover or study would be useful. Look for upcoming plans, conspicuous journals, maniacal rants written in blood on the walls… figure it out. Report back to me when you are done."
"Thank you for the assistance. It seems we'll be paying his home a visit." Gig says.
~+~After leaving~+~
"Uhe, I've never broken into a house before. Can you think of anything we need, or anything we need to do?"
The dwarf's face seems fixated on the words coming out of Bronwyl's mouth the entire briefing. One may even noticed a bit of drool dangling dangerously down the dwarf's delighted disposition.
After leaving, Uhe looks incredulously at Gig!
Wat! Thieving and such? Me? Oh wait will me folks ever tink of this!
The Trapper laughs roariously.
Let me make a shopping list...how much gold we be having?
"Oh!" Brijetta exclaims. "We have to break into a home! Uncle Royken would be so impressed. Or maybe upset. How do you think we should do it? I think trying to sneak would probably be easier -- or safer -- than trying to talk our way past the guards."
"Yeah, err, I'm a fair bit better at sneakin' than chattin' - an' I'm not all that good at sneakin'!"
You follow the directions to Narsiegus's penthouse. The penthouse apartment perches 60 feet above street level, capping off a tower of offices and apartments with shops on the ground floor. Beyond flight, there are two ways that you can likely access the penthouse: the ground floor or the roof.
Several guards casually patrol the building, focusing their attention on public areas and entrances. Just entering the building’s shops doesn’t raise suspicion. However, accessing restricted areas will require some cunning. Nearby buildings employ far less security, and you might try to access one, ascend the stairs, and find some way to bridge a path to the penthouse’s patio.
"Let's sneak into that building," Gig points at the building neighboring Narsiegus' residence. "We can find some way across without having to sneak by all those guards."
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Brijetta nods, glad that Gig is clearly a hardened criminal. Which makes sense, what with the puppets and all.
So used to people simply ignoring her, Brijetta nearly is noticed as she moves toward the building without quite as much care as she might normally take. But after a moment of fright, she ducks further into the shadows.
"Yes, yes, we don't want people to notice us right now," she murmurs to her forge spirits.
Uhe stares up, up, up at Narsiegus's penthouse. The Investigator studies the edifice, structure, place for a minute before nodding sagely.
The Investigator hums aloud.
Now dis be reminds a dwarf of anutter building we done had to pilfering a bit to do.
The Archeologist looks at Gig at his suggested route of across the rooftop plan.
Uhe then watches Brjetta's inner monolog and giggles. He also giggles at her tiptoeing through the tulips approach.
Uhe decides to Spiderman this one!
Probably more like a spider monkey!
Gig tries to imitate a variety of cavern sounds to distract from any noise that the crew is making.
Mal's hair dulls to a forgettable drab brown even as it sprouts up over the rest of her body. With her nose flattened out above her new fangs, she takes to the air.
Reckon I'm better at squeaking than sneaking! Good thing no one heard that...
Through stealth, acrobatics, and a bit of misdirection, you are able to make your way to the rooftop of Narsiegus' penthouse undetected. A broad rooftop patio crowns the penthouse, with exclusive access to the apartment below. The exterior door to the stairs is unlocked.
The stairs lead into the living room. Sofas, chairs, low tables, and well-stocked sideboards provide a comfortable space for leisure and entertainment. The furniture has a faint layer of dust, suggesting Narseigus barely uses this area. Several doors exit to other rooms.
"Quiet as mice...or bats," Gig whispers. He invokes a spell as softly as he can and opens his senses to any magic in the room.
There are no magical auras in the area, nor are there any interesting papers. All of the doors appear mundane and are unlocked.
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Having heard many stories about adventurers, Gig opens the door on the left.
Shelves made of surface-grown wood wrap along the corners of this library. A skylight above and a broad stained-glass window depicting a fierce, hammer-wielding dwarf let in Hagegraf’s minimal light. Books, maps, and scrap paper litter a wide table at the center of the library.
A few moments after you enter the room, the stained glass dwarf suddenly moves, emerging from the window and leaping down to the floor of the room. Its mass shakes the room slightly as it lands.
The construct hefts its hammer, light reflecting off its glass surface in dazzling patterns!
Before you can react, the construct strides into melee range. Waves of scintillating luminosity emanate from within its body, creating bright, blinding light!
Failure: The creature is dazzled for 1 round.
Critical Failure: The creature is blinded for 1 round and then dazzled for an additional 4 rounds.
Gig encourages his comrades, channels the power of the elements, and tries to figure out what the heck the walking window is.
Uhe looks longingly at the comfortable sofa, chairs, divans. The dwarf then turns to see Gig opening doors!
Panicked and a bit distracted by the unrequited comfort, the Trapper slides into the room to stop in his dwarf shod shoes!
Can't be that tough made of glass.
Who dun turn out da lights? Wat, wait a minute. Me got da Darkvision! Wat a mystery!
The Investigator then decides to Quick Tincture some stuff!
Uhe Steps backwards 5'.
The dwarf let's the Smoke Stick fall to the floor.
Mal casts aside her chiropteran form, bulking on layers of earth and stone before she joins the fray.
HP 103/103
AC 24
Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +13; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 6 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 3 fire damage
Effects: dazzled 1 round
"Oh, it's so pretty! And the craftsmanship!" Brijetta exclaims before realizing she's in real danger and calling her forge spirits to her in a burst of sparks and clangs. Shards of metal fly toward the construct.
Brijetta's blast bounces off the golem's glass body even as it executes an acrobatic twirl to completely evade her shard strike! Gig is unable to recall information about glass golems. Uhe's smokestick fills the room as Mal buffs up to meet the construct's attacks.
And attack it does, slicing at Mal with its razor-sharp arms! It manages one hit, the cut blunted by the druid's magic.
HP 103/103
AC 24
Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +13; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 6 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 3 fire damage
Effects:
"Oh, it's so fast!" Brijetta says, voice filled with admiration despite Mal's wounds. She concentrates and molten wires grab the creature before she blasts it with another chunk of metal.
"With unknown properties, I don't dare cast spells at it. You folks have this!" Gig continues to encourage the crew and casts haste on Mal.
Mal seals her wounds with a touch of her enchanted gloves, rearing up as she layers on muscle, fat and fury to crash down onto the golem with a devastating , bowling it over with sheer mass!
Uhe blinks.
Me eyes might be gitn better. Instead of darkness, I can see a brightness.
Uhe begins to Devise A Stratagem.
The Investigator then fumbles about for his shortbow, before shakily taking an arrow and ...
A little higher?
Brijetta wraps the creature in molten wire and hits it with a glancing blast that doesn't even seem to hurt it. Uhe fumbles with his bow as Gig hastes Mal. As she changes into a batrachian form, she knocks the golem to the floor, but fails to land a hit.
Brijetta's molten wire glows with heat, but the fire actually repairs the damage to the golem rather than harm it further! The construct gets to its feet and attacks Mal again!
Uhe really wants to rub his poor eyes, but his hands are busy refitting an arrow to his bow!
The Investigator begins to release....
The arrival of an actual arrow seems....
....to invigorating to the dwarf's sense of pride.
Feeling a bit frisky, Uhe attempts to Recall knowledge on the Glass Hatter.
HP 103/103
AC 24
Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +13; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 6 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 3 fire damage
Effects:
"Oh! Sorry!" Brijetta cries as she realizes the wires aren't helping. Keeping away from the thing so her kinetic aura doesn't help it anymore, she blasts it with another spray of metal.
Gig continues to inspiring anthem and casts a healing spell on Mal.
Mal tries to bowl the golem over again with her sheer froggy mass, crushing it between mighty jaws as her living tattoo tries to keep her safe!
This time, the golem takes the full force of Brijetta's shard strike. Uhe hits with an arrow while Mal delivers a vicious bite! Though cracked in places, the golem fights on, continuing to mindlessly slash at Mal.
Gig continues inspiring the gang, and unleashes his own shard strike on the golem.
Feeling better the Investigator decides to take aim again!
Feeling confidence surging through his blood, Uhe releases another arrow!
The Alchemical Scientist then takes out an Elixir of Life.
Mal be looking a bit thirsty?
Mal yanks at the golem's calf with her tongue before piling in again with a mighty chomp!
HP 103/103
AC 24
Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +13; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 6 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 3 fire damage
Effects:
Moving around the creature, Brijetta raises her hand, letting the metal motes around her form a hammer, which she brings down ... on the floor next to the golem as Mal yanks it out of the path of her weapon.
The golem evades Gig's shard strike and dodges Brijetta's blast. Uhe scores a critical hit with his arrow, and Mal manages to trip the golem but fails to puncture its body. It stands once more and slashes at the druid again.
Gig continues to encourage the party, especially Mal: "Hang in there, Mal!"
HP 103/103
AC 24
Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +13; sonic resistance 3
Hero points: 2
Infused regents: 5
Thermal nimbus: fire resistance 6 in kinetic aura (10-foot emanation); enemies take 3 fire damage
Effects:
"Mal, get back, it's killing you!" Brijetta cries as she slams her hammer into the glass monstrosity, this time making sure not to miss! She whaps it again for good measure!
Uhe Strides to Mal, pours the Elixir of Life down her throat and Strides back.
Mal shakes her slimy head groggily C'mon Brij, I'm winning this thing! and chomps down, hard, as the golem renews its offensive!
With a critical bite from Mal and another critical blast from Brijetta, the golem explodes into thousands of glass fragments!
The battle is over, and you now have time to pore through the library. After several minutes, you identify key texts that Narsiegus studied, getting a better understanding of his plans:
Avernakkus and Environs: This bundle of papers is a copy of a field notebook and the half-finished manuscript intended for publication, both by a deep gnome spelunker and volcanologist named Orluda. The text’s main objective is mapping tunnels in Nar-Voth to survey how volcanic activity has reshaped ancient caverns and pathways.
Behemoths Below: This collection of papers and scraps contains esoteric writings from various hryngar sages over the past millennium. These present a magical technique called worm-calling, developed by hryngars to channel cave worms’ strength or even seize control of the beasts. However, the authors often note that this connection travels two ways; a cave worm’s ferocity can overwhelm a worm caller’s body or mind, turning them into an animalistic berserker. A few other authors seem to think this is an advantage, not a risk.
Mysteries of the Worm: Much of this loosely bound book’s contents apparently date to before Earthfall, with the editor insisting much of it stems from ancient serpentfolk investigations into the Vault Builders and their involvement in cave worms’ creation. The esoteric text regularly posits how rituals might transform other tiny creatures into titans.
In addition to the books, you can study the various maps here, which depict several tunnel networks underneath the Five Kings Mountains. Narseigus’s annotations not only indicate a cavern called “Drootorca” that’s near the dwarven city Rolgrimmdur, but he’s also marked Hagegraf and various areas populated by xulgaths, caligni, trolls, and other Darklands inhabitants. Calculations near each region seem to indicate how many days it might take to travel from each settlement to Drootorca Cavern.
"Well, this is very interesting!" Gig is fairly bouncing on his feet with excitement at all of the ancient knowledge by the time they finish going through the texts. "You'd think hryngars would have the sense to leave cave worms alone, but I suppose millennia underground make you do funny things. Do you think Narseigus went to this Drootorca Cavern? HE can't be up to anything good."
Uhe is seen salivating as the Investigator reads and reads and reads....
Fascinating! Cave Worms as transportation would really make army advancement, allowing for optimal time of arrival as needed! The correct crafted harness could house squadron or more.... fascinating.
Uhe collects everything not nailed down, especially the maps.
For research purposes of course.
After a few moments, Uhe frowns.
Thinking Narseigus is planning to use Cave Worms to burrow through volcano foundations to literally burn and bury everything. Seems a bit harsh.
"Oh no!" Gig gasps, totally shocked. "You're probably right, Uhe. This is going to make the Sundering look like a bubble bath!"
"Aww geez, you think? Well I reckon we better talk him off the ledge then, or rassle him as may be."
Continuing to explore the apartment, you find Narseigus's bedroom ina disheveled state. The mundane features include an unkempt bed, scattered clothing (some with odd rips and stains), half-closed drawers. However, there are worrisome signs of something odd having occurred here. Brittle flakes of shed exoskeleton crunch underfoot, the bedsheets are heavily scuffed as if rubbed against coarse rocks, purple stains spatter various surfaces, and parallel gouges mar one wall.
Gig stands at the doorway so as not to disturb the scene for Uhe. "What a mess!"